Book Review: Elsie Mae Has Something to Say
- Charity Harvey
- Jan 11
- 4 min read
I happened to come across this book by chance, and I'm so glad I did. Sometimes, you find a book that truly warms your heart, and this one did just that for me. If you liked Wonder by RJ Palacio, you'll love this story as well. Although this book is a bit older, having been published in 2017, it's definitely worth reading! Just take a look at the beautiful cover below. Doesn't it immediately catch your attention? In this case, you really can judge the book by its cover, because I believe the exterior is just as wonderful as the content inside.
Our story begins with Elsie Mae, who will be spending the summer with her beloved grandparents in the Okefenokee Swamp (which is a real place that covers parts of Georgia and Florida). She plans to write a letter to the President regarding plans to build a canal through the swamp, and finally get her own dog this summer. She is beyond thrilled when she finally does get her own dog. He's labeled a troublemaker who doesn't listen to anybody, but he's perfect for Elsie Mae. She names him Huck, because he won't stop trying to eat all the leftover huckleberry pie her grandma cooks. (I've never heard of a huckleberry before, but by the time I was done reading this book, I wanted a huckleberry pie myself!)
Everything seems to be going great for Elsie, until her cousin Henry shows up. It's more like is dumped on them, because Henry's parents hit the road on a long trip and left him behind. Elsie dislikes him at first, and names him "Hallelujah Henry" because he likes to use the word Hallelujah so much. Together, the two set off an adventure to stop some local hog thieves!
My favorite thing about this book is the dynamic between Elsie and Henry. Henry wants to be a preacher because the Lord has called him. He partially believes this because his daddy was "called" and that's why his parents went on a road trip for a revival. As we read the story though, we find out that Henry's daddy isn't really called and is usually trying to find a way to get people's money. But Henry genuinely wants to be a preacher for the right reasons, and really believes in being called by the Lord. Elsie is quite aggravated with him from the start, because she keeps misbehaving and Henry begins preaching to her about sinning. Elsie doesn't want to be told she is sinning and resists listening to Henry. He is also stealing all of her grandparents attention, which she can't stand. But eventually, she begins to realize Henry isn't like his daddy and he starts to win her over. The two of them are hilarious together and I loved Henry so much.
The best scene in the book is a baptism scene with Henry, Elsie, and Huck. Henry wants to baptize Elsie, and though she doesn't really want to do it, she eventually agrees. It is sweet, funny, and touching all at once. At first, Elsie just wants to get it over with. But the more she listens to Henry, and they begin singing hymns, she comes up out of the water feeling different, and knows it was a real baptism, not just make believe. I love the entire scene. It reminded me of my childhood, because I grew up in church (as many of you know) and for those of you who also grew up in church, you know what us church kids do. At some point, just like kids "play house" or "play grocery store", "play school", etc., we would "play church"! I remember pastors telling me stories about how they would practice preaching to the farm animals as kids, making pretend pews and everything. One story I distinctly remember, was a preacher who baptized his family's chickens as a kid! It was hilarious! When we were little, my sister and I tried to baptize our cat. But we tried it with a water hose, so we were perfectly safe. And the cat was so fast, she didn't even get wet. No animals were harmed in any of these baptism attempts! Henry and Elsie's baptism story is even better! And all of that (the book, and our childhood stories) are done with total innocence. Children like to imitate the things they love, and that's what we were doing as kids and it's what Henry and Elsie are doing. The whole scene isn't mocking or making fun of church, but it shows the innocence and pureness of childhood while giving the reader a much needed laugh!
I cannot recommend this book enough. This is another book that needs to be read by kids and adults alike. The characters are unique and written with accents for the place and time period that are accurate without being over the top or cheesy. It's so wholesome it just makes you feel good all over. I have read other books by the author, Nancy J. Cavanaugh, and she has become a favorite author of mine! But out of all her books I have read, this one remains my favorite, in first place. Please find it at your local library or digital library and give it a read! Happy Reading!
